Russian army offensive focused in southern Donetsk region - UK intelligence
Illustrative photo: Russian offensive is concentrated in the south of the Donetsk region (Getty Images)
Russian forces have advanced in several areas along a 20-kilometer-wide front in the southern Donetsk region. This direction is their priority, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.
Russian forces have taken control of several small settlements and advanced up to 9 kilometers in some areas over the past week.
British intelligence reports that these gains are a result of Russia securing Vuhledar in early October 2024.
In the southern Donetsk region, Russian forces have captured the town of Hirnyk and claim to have taken Kurakhivka. About 15 kilometers southeast of Pokrovsk, Russia has captured Selydove, which likely further enables Russia to threaten the logistical hub at Pokrovsk.
"Russia continues to prioritize the southern Donetsk frontlines maintaining favorable force ratios in this sector, which partly explains the increased pace of Russian advances. Despite heavy personnel losses, Russia continues to recruit in high numbers to sustain its operations in southern Ukraine," the statement reads.
Russian offensive
The rapid pace of the Russian army's offensive has led, according to the Oryx project, to Russia losing more armored vehicles, planes, helicopters, and other equipment in October than in any other month since October 2022, when Russian forces retreated from the Kharkiv region.
In October, the Russian army lost 695 pieces of equipment, which were either destroyed, damaged, abandoned on the battlefield, or captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to Bloomberg, the Russian army has been gaining momentum in its advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing 200 square kilometers last week - the most in a single week this year.
Since August 6, Russia has captured 1,146 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, approximately 25% more than in the first seven months of the year.
